Bill on youth sports injuries heads to Ohio House

COLUMBUS -- Legislation aimed at protecting young athletes with head injuries is headed to the full Ohio House.

A committee passed the bill Tuesday with some changes. The Columbus Dispatch reports legislators have been trying to balance liability and responsibility issues in the proposed rules. The bill would require pulling young players from action if they show concussion-like symptoms.

The legislation expands the kinds of health care providers beyond licensed physicians who can approve returning a player to action. There has been concern some rural areas would have difficulty finding physicians to handle those duties.

The bill requires that youth sports coaches take an online course and parents review and sign information sheets about brain injuries.

It wouldn't affect Ohio High School Athletic Association schools that already have guidelines.